1
as in terrifying
causing fear
a dreadful hurricane
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in awful
causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment
a dreadful performance of a beautiful piece of music
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3
as in horrific
extremely disturbing or repellent
dreadful news of a crime wave in the neighborhood
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4
as in intense
extreme in degree, power, or effect
the dreadful heat of the desert
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5
as in sheer
having no exceptions or restrictions
made a dreadful mess of his first marriage
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dreadful
Mark Consuelos shaved off skin into meal during cooking accident
Kelly Ripa 'so enraged' by soccer team's dreadful performance in Italy
The Live audience laughed at the exchange, though Ripa clapped back by playfully warning her husband about potential consequences.
—
Joey Nolfi Published, EW.com, 6 May 2025
Two chances to impact a defense that has been historically dreadful.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 26 Apr. 2025
Ipswich Town, barely a goal kick from Felixstowe Beach and dreadful at the end of the season.
—Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
Kelly Ripa was seeing red during a recent journey to Italy — but not because of the delectable pasta sauce typically associated with the region, but rather the dreadful performance of a soccer team the talk show icon and her husband, Mark Consuelos, co-own.
—Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dreadful
Joey Nolfi Published, EW.com, 6 May 2025
Two chances to impact a defense that has been historically dreadful.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 26 Apr. 2025
Ipswich Town, barely a goal kick from Felixstowe Beach and dreadful at the end of the season.
—Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
Kelly Ripa was seeing red during a recent journey to Italy — but not because of the delectable pasta sauce typically associated with the region, but rather the dreadful performance of a soccer team the talk show icon and her husband, Mark Consuelos, co-own.
—Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dreadful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dreadful
Adjective
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The family eventually crosses paths with a corrupt theme-park operator (John Ortiz), his sheriff (Colin Hanks) and a terrifying crime boss (Sharon Stone) before chaos ensues.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA Today,
15 May 2025
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The additional terrifying factor was that the plane had only three minutes of fuel left — and Cruise had still not gotten up.—
Antonia Blyth,
Deadline,
14 May 2025
Adjective
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Councilmember Vivian Moreno said the timing on the prostitution detectives seems awful, with prostitution appearing to have gotten worse in recent months on Dalbergia Street in Barrio Logan.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 May 2025
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This background informs Idles’ rebellious reflex, whereas awful American rock bands Rage Against the Machine and Green Day are merely bratty.—
Armond White,
National Review,
7 May 2025
Adjective
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Abuse Of Power: Season 1 (May 19) Long-running ID series American Monster enters a new chapter with Abuse of Power, a long-form series that takes on cases where horrific crimes and scandals were covered up and disposed of by authority figures.—
K. Thor Jensen,
PC Magazine,
16 May 2025
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Sheriff’s officials released footage that showed the horrific attack.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
15 May 2025
Adjective
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Biden's physical and mental fitness has been the subject of intense scrutiny during and since his time in office, with questions about the former president's age and well-being ultimately forcing him to abandon his 2024 reelection bid.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
19 May 2025
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Yet the overall focus is on the utopian community orbiting around the intense figurehead.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
19 May 2025
Adjective
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Secrets of the Thrift Kidney's strategy centers on knowledge, patience, and sheer time investment.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 May 2025
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The sheer force of Margarita’s being asks to remain in our consciousness longer.—
Mark Swed,
Los Angeles Times,
9 May 2025
Adjective
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However, her tragic demise spooks and haunts Jen, since her death is incredibly horrible and sad, rocking the whole Capesode community.—
Lisa Stardust,
People.com,
14 May 2025
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Jurors viewed for a fifth time in two days the video footage of the horrible beating that followed.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
13 May 2025
Adjective
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The series between the Warriors and the Rockets was slow, low scoring, and ugly—which is exactly how the younger, less experienced Rockets wanted it.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
11 May 2025
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This wasn’t the first time Green was subjected to ugly behavior from opposing fans.—
Curtis Pashelka,
Mercury News,
10 May 2025
Adjective
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But the rich emotional depth of that film is matched in Bring Her Back, a horror movie that delights in gruesome practical effects but also presents a nuanced character study, with little judgement passed on its bereaved antagonist, Laura.—
Madison Bloom,
Pitchfork,
16 May 2025
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It was later discovered he had been killed in a gruesome attack that U.S. intelligence says was ordered by the country's de facto leader Mohammed bin Salman.—
Domenico Montanaro,
NPR,
16 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dreadful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dreadful. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
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